The Black Hawks (Articles of Faith Duology: 1)
David Wragg
Vedren Chel holds every oath of service sacred ― except his own.
His father’s sermons on the nobility of duty left him ill-prepared for the grind of service to his indolent step-uncle. Chel’s wretched oath has dragged him from home and family across a war-splintered kingdom; he craves an escape from this life.
When foreign invaders heave into port, Chel finds opportunity in the chaos – a bargain with a stranded prince. Escort the prince to safety, and in return: release from his oath, a chance to go home. A solemn duty at last.
But a bargain with a prince is never a simple thing, and greater forces are at play than Chel realises. Heavy wheels are turning. Assassins and mercenaries lurk in every shadow, many bearing smiles as sharp as their knives.
As a kingdom’s dark conspiracy turns its gaze towards him, Chel must decide just how much he will sacrifice in duty’s name.
Prepare to join the Black Hawk Company.
His father’s sermons on the nobility of duty left him ill-prepared for the grind of service to his indolent step-uncle. Chel’s wretched oath has dragged him from home and family across a war-splintered kingdom; he craves an escape from this life.
When foreign invaders heave into port, Chel finds opportunity in the chaos – a bargain with a stranded prince. Escort the prince to safety, and in return: release from his oath, a chance to go home. A solemn duty at last.
But a bargain with a prince is never a simple thing, and greater forces are at play than Chel realises. Heavy wheels are turning. Assassins and mercenaries lurk in every shadow, many bearing smiles as sharp as their knives.
As a kingdom’s dark conspiracy turns its gaze towards him, Chel must decide just how much he will sacrifice in duty’s name.
Prepare to join the Black Hawk Company.
GENRE
Fantasy; Historical
UK PUBLICATION
October 2019
Fantasy; Historical
UK PUBLICATION
October 2019
Praise
"A remarkably assured debut. ****"
Anna Stephens, author of the Godblind series
"A vibrant cast, intrigue and action come together in this blazing debut. I'm going to label it WitPunk. *****"
Ed McDonald, author of The Raven's Mark series
"An extraordinary debut that is as humorous as it is dark... Wragg has a winner on his hands here. Highly recommended."
James Tivendale, Grimdark Magazine
"Highly recommend this book, it's great fun and really fast."
Robin Carter, Parmenion Books
“Everyone loves a good mercenary tale, but The Black Hawks offers more besides: a protagonist who’s refreshingly rubbish at fighting, a supporting cast who’d be fascinating if they were just standing around in a supermarket, and an author who knows when to dodge clichés, and when to jump in and splash like a kid in a puddle.”
Nate Crowley, author of 100 Best Video Games (That Never Existed)
“Check out The Black Hawks - it’s full of fun characters, mercenary antics, twists, turns, and contains my favourite fantasy lemon.”
Peter Newman, Gemmell Award-winning author of The Vagrant and The Deathless
"David Wragg's The Black Hawks reminds me of Abercrombie's The Blade Itself for several reasons. Its heroes are crass and callous, and you occasionally wonder if you haven't been cheering for the bad guy all along. As well, it reserves a punch for the final pages that even the keenest reader will not see coming."
Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
Anna Stephens, author of the Godblind series
"A vibrant cast, intrigue and action come together in this blazing debut. I'm going to label it WitPunk. *****"
Ed McDonald, author of The Raven's Mark series
"An extraordinary debut that is as humorous as it is dark... Wragg has a winner on his hands here. Highly recommended."
James Tivendale, Grimdark Magazine
"Highly recommend this book, it's great fun and really fast."
Robin Carter, Parmenion Books
“Everyone loves a good mercenary tale, but The Black Hawks offers more besides: a protagonist who’s refreshingly rubbish at fighting, a supporting cast who’d be fascinating if they were just standing around in a supermarket, and an author who knows when to dodge clichés, and when to jump in and splash like a kid in a puddle.”
Nate Crowley, author of 100 Best Video Games (That Never Existed)
“Check out The Black Hawks - it’s full of fun characters, mercenary antics, twists, turns, and contains my favourite fantasy lemon.”
Peter Newman, Gemmell Award-winning author of The Vagrant and The Deathless
"David Wragg's The Black Hawks reminds me of Abercrombie's The Blade Itself for several reasons. Its heroes are crass and callous, and you occasionally wonder if you haven't been cheering for the bad guy all along. As well, it reserves a punch for the final pages that even the keenest reader will not see coming."
Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
Also by David Wragg
Articles of Faith Duology
Other books by David Wragg
Rights Sales for THE BLACK HAWKS
Czech Republic: Dobrovsky
World English Language: HarperVoyager, HarperCollins
World English Language: HarperVoyager, HarperCollins